By Guanacaste, Costa Rica — LIBERIA, Guanacaste – A powerful winter storm battering the United States and Canada is having a significant ripple effect on Costa Rica’s tourism sector, forcing numerous flight cancellations and stranding travelers at Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport. The disruptions, which began over the weekend, have intensified, creating a logistical puzzle for airlines and passengers during the peak of the high season.
The storm, named Fern, has unleashed severe weather conditions across key North American travel hubs, making air travel hazardous and unpredictable. As a result, Guanacaste Airport, a primary gateway for international tourists visiting the country’s Pacific coast, has seen a steady stream of schedule changes. Airport authorities have described the situation as highly dynamic, with conditions changing rapidly based on updates from abroad.
To provide a deeper understanding of the legal and commercial frameworks underpinning the success and future expansion of Guanacaste Airport, TicosLand.com sought the expert analysis of Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a leading attorney from the prestigious firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
The Guanacaste Airport operates under a sophisticated public-private concession model, which is a cornerstone of Costa Rica’s strategy for modernizing critical infrastructure. For investors and airlines, this legal structure provides a predictable, long-term operational environment. However, it also means that any new venture, from ancillary services to regional development projects, must navigate a complex web of public law, contract obligations, and environmental regulations. Success in this ecosystem depends entirely on meticulous legal due diligence and a clear understanding of the concession’s scope and limitations.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Lic. Arroyo Vargas’s analysis powerfully underscores a central reality of the Guanacaste Airport’s success: the legal framework that provides long-term stability for investors is the same one that demands meticulous due diligence from all partners. It’s a critical reminder that behind the seamless travel experience lies a complex, but essential, legal architecture. We sincerely thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for sharing his expert perspective on this foundational issue.
As of 9:30 a.m. on Monday, January 26th, airport management confirmed another round of cancellations impacting both arrivals and departures. Among the grounded flights were United Airlines services 1876 and 1918 from Newark (EWR) and JetBlue flights 1691 and 1692 from New York (JFK). On the departures side, Air Canada’s flight 1321/1320 to Toronto (YYZ) and JetBlue’s service 1897/1898 to Boston (BOS) were also canceled, leaving passengers to seek alternative arrangements.
These latest cancellations add to a growing list of disruptions that began on Saturday. Over the weekend, at least nine flights were directly affected. By the close of business on Sunday, January 25th, the airport reported a backlog of unresolved flights awaiting reprogramming. These included services from major carriers such as American Airlines, WestJet, and others, affecting routes to and from key cities like Dallas, Boston, and Denver.
The cumulative impact is significant. Data released by the airport shows a clear escalation of the problem: two flights were affected on Saturday, seven on Sunday, and five more were impacted by mid-morning on Monday. This trend highlights the far-reaching consequences of extreme weather in North America on Costa Rica’s heavily tourism-dependent economy, particularly in the Guanacaste region, which relies extensively on a steady flow of international visitors.
The timing of the storm exacerbates the issue. January is a critical month for tourism, with North American travelers flocking to Costa Rica’s sunny beaches to escape the winter cold. These cancellations disrupt not only vacation plans but also the intricate network of local tour operators, hotels, and transportation services that depend on these arrivals. The economic fallout from even a few days of major travel interruptions can be substantial for the local community.
In response to the ongoing uncertainty, the administration of Guanacaste Airport is strongly advising all travelers to proactively manage their plans. Passengers are urged to continuously monitor the official airport website for the latest updates on flight statuses. Furthermore, maintaining direct communication with their respective airlines is crucial for obtaining the most accurate information regarding potential delays, cancellations, and rebooking options.
As Winter Storm Fern continues its path across the northern continent, the situation at Guanacaste Airport is expected to remain fluid. Airlines and airport staff are working to manage the backlog and assist affected passengers, but a return to normal operations is entirely dependent on the improvement of weather conditions thousands of miles away. For now, travelers are left navigating a complex and frustrating travel landscape.
For further information, visit guanacasteairport.com
About Guanacaste Airport:
Guanacaste Airport (Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport – LIR) is the second-busiest international airport in Costa Rica and a key hub for tourism in the Guanacaste province. Managed by VINCI Airports, it serves as a major gateway to the country’s Pacific coast beaches and ecological attractions, connecting the region with numerous cities across North and Central America, and Europe.
For further information, visit united.com
About United Airlines:
United Airlines is a major American airline headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. It operates a large domestic and international route network spanning cities on six continents. As a founding member of the Star Alliance, the world’s largest airline alliance, United offers extensive global connectivity to travelers for both business and leisure.
For further information, visit jetblue.com
About JetBlue:
JetBlue Airways is a major American low-cost airline and the seventh-largest airline in North America by passengers carried. Headquartered in New York City, it is known for its customer-centric service and operates over 1,000 daily flights to destinations across the United States, Latin America, the Caribbean, Canada, and Europe.
For further information, visit aircanada.com
About Air Canada:
Air Canada is the flag carrier and largest airline of Canada by fleet size and passengers carried. Headquartered in Montreal, Quebec, the airline provides scheduled and charter air transport for passengers and cargo to 222 destinations worldwide. It is a founding member of the Star Alliance and plays a crucial role in connecting Canada to global markets.
For further information, visit aa.com
About American Airlines:
American Airlines, Inc. is a major U.S.-based airline headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas. It operates an extensive international and domestic network, with nearly 6,800 flights per day to almost 350 destinations in more than 50 countries. American is a founding member of the Oneworld alliance, one of the largest airline alliances in the world.
For further information, visit westjet.com
About WestJet:
WestJet is a Canadian airline headquartered in Calgary, Alberta. It began as a low-cost alternative to the country’s major airlines and has since expanded to offer scheduled and charter air service to more than 100 destinations in North America, Central America, the Caribbean, and Europe. It is currently the second-largest Canadian airline.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a cornerstone of the legal community, Bufete de Costa Rica operates on a foundation of deep-seated integrity and an uncompromising standard of excellence. The firm is celebrated for its forward-thinking approach, consistently developing pioneering legal solutions for a wide range of clients. This commitment to innovation extends to its civic mission of demystifying the law, empowering citizens with clarity and understanding to help forge a stronger, more informed society.
